Tech I Use

I’m one of those guys that can’t resist downloading a piece of software to try it out. I buy every gadget, download everything that comes my way, and create an account on every web service I notice. I’ve told Ross (my IT guy) never to come back from a trip to Best Buy without buying me something to play with. Yes – I have poor impulse control.

I’m finding that a lot of the stuff I’m trying is sticking with me these days. I still have a wide range of things that go into the discard pile (which – if it’s a physical device – means I give it to Ross as a gift after playing with it for a week or so.) But – a surprising amount is useful.

As I think more about our Digital Life and Human Computer Interaction themes, I realized it might be fun (at least for me) to start writing about some of the experiences (good and bad) I’m having with "tech" as a typical early adopter. I’m sure those of you out there that are gadget freaks early adopters will have fun suggesting new toys and helping me out with the ones I’m having problems with.

So – look for the trials and tribulations of my gadgets in my new Tech I Use category.

As a gadget freak trying to exercise some impulse control, I would find your filtering very helpful!

http://barfieldmanagement.com Chase Barfield

We are kindred spirits. One of my companies is in the tech industry and as CEO is is my pleasure, I mean my duty to test new equipment so we can stay abreast of the latest technology. We get notices from manufacturers and wholesalers prior to them hitting store shelves. I will be happy to send you tips on new tech once I have had the opportunity to test it. Do you want me to comment here or email you? I have been testing the gadget I am typing this comment on (Asus EEEPC – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/06/20/crossbre…) since June. I took it on the road with me for a week. Great little device. But I would not use it for prolonged periods of time as a laptop replacement. It fits the bill well for short vacations, quick road trips, taking notes in meetings, etc. It's more of a full featured PDA. I love using the built in webcam with skype for video conference calls.

I saw a bizzare gadget on someones desk one day. It looked like a mini bean-bag chair with a small screen on it. It had all these strange functions and apps that could be made for it. Very bizzare. Does anyone know what I am talking about?

– Mike Michalowicz

http://www.terrygold.com Terry Gold

The “bizzare . . . mini bean-bag chair gadget” is probably a Chumby. http://www.chumby.com/ It's a little touch screen that runs flash apps via a wifi connection to your home interenet connection. Mostly web cams, clocks and news headlines. It was fun to play with, but I didn't find it all that useful and now it is in my museum of tech I don't use.

http://barfieldmanagement.com Chase Barfield

I forgot to mention something in my last comment, about a week before this post I wrote about Gazelle – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/08/05/recycle-…. Tech Crunch wrote about it in July. I'm sure you have heard about it. But if you haven't, take a read. I have read your articles and believe you to be a conservationist. If Ross doesn't take your old tech, send it to Gazelle.

http://barfieldmanagement.com Chase Barfield

This is technology but it is in the software realm. I wrote about Qtrax in June – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/06/03/qtrax/ . As of that writing, you could not download music. However, I checked today and viola! I grabbed a random top40 song and plugged it into the search for the Qtrax app that is powered by Songbird. It downloaded it without a problem. I had to update my Windows Media Player 11 security policies. But I got the song 100% free and it is 100% legal. I know you like to play with new tech…so have at it.

Bill

I can't believe you buy anything from those crooks at Best Buy…everything they sell is overpriced and they are always pulling bait and switch on people. I hate Best Buy…

I saw a bizzare gadget on someones desk one day. It looked like a mini bean-bag chair with a small screen on it. It had all these strange functions and apps that could be made for it. Very bizzare. Does anyone know what I am talking about?

– Mike Michalowicz

Terry Gold

The "bizzare . . . mini bean-bag chair gadget" is probably a Chumby. http://www.chumby.com/ It's a little touch screen that runs flash apps via a wifi connection to your home interenet connection. Mostly web cams, clocks and news headlines. It was fun to play with, but I didn't find it all that useful and now it is in my museum of tech I don't use.

http://intensedebate.com/people/chase_barf55451 chase_barf55451

I forgot to mention something in my last comment, about a week before this post I wrote about Gazelle – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/08/05/recycle-…. Tech Crunch wrote about it in July. I'm sure you have heard about it. But if you haven't, take a read. I have read your articles and believe you to be a conservationist. If Ross doesn't take your old tech, send it to Gazelle.

http://intensedebate.com/people/chase_barf55451 chase_barf55451

We are kindred spirits. One of my companies is in the tech industry and as CEO is is my pleasure, I mean my duty to test new equipment so we can stay abreast of the latest technology. We get notices from manufacturers and wholesalers prior to them hitting store shelves. I will be happy to send you tips on new tech once I have had the opportunity to test it. Do you want me to comment here or email you? I have been testing the gadget I am typing this comment on (Asus EEEPC – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/06/20/crossbre…) since June. I took it on the road with me for a week. Great little device. But I would not use it for prolonged periods of time as a laptop replacement. It fits the bill well for short vacations, quick road trips, taking notes in meetings, etc. It's more of a full featured PDA. I love using the built in webcam with skype for video conference calls.

http://intensedebate.com/people/luca8090 luca8090

As a gadget freak trying to exercise some impulse control, I would find your filtering very helpful!

Bill

I can't believe you buy anything from those crooks at Best Buy…everything they sell is overpriced and they are always pulling bait and switch on people. I hate Best Buy…

http://intensedebate.com/people/chase_barf55451 chase_barf55451

This is technology but it is in the software realm. I wrote about Qtrax in June – http://barfieldmanagement.com/2008/06/03/qtrax/ . As of that writing, you could not download music. However, I checked today and viola! I grabbed a random top40 song and plugged it into the search for the Qtrax app that is powered by Songbird. It downloaded it without a problem. I had to update my Windows Media Player 11 security policies. But I got the song 100% free and it is 100% legal. I know you like to play with new tech…so have at it.